A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods method for filtering water fluid by screening ionic minerals including sodium chloride from the water fluid. In one embodiment, the water fluid is passed into a work zone defined at least in part by oppositely-arranged first and second porous structures, each of which have a plurality of gated channels. The water fluid is processed in the work zone by applying respective electric voltages to electrically bias the first porous structure and the second porous structure. The respective electric voltages deplete sodium chloride ions in the water fluid in the work zone due to ion-flux continuity. In response to processing of the water fluid, ion-filtered water is collected from the work zone.

A method of operating an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device performs electrowetting operations on fluids dispensed into the EWOD device, which provides enhanced operation for using multiple non-polar filler fluids. The method of operating includes the steps of: dispensing a polar fluid source into the EWOD device; performing an electrowetting operation to generate an aqueous barrier from the polar fluid source, wherein the aqueous barrier separates the EWOD device into a first region and a second region that are fluidly separated from each other by the aqueous barrier; inputting a non-polar first filler fluid into the first region; inputting a non-polar second filler fluid into the second region; dispensing a polar liquid droplet into the first region; transferring the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region by performing an electrowetting operation to reconfigure the aqueous barrier, and performing an electrowetting operation to move the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region through the reconfigured aqueous barrier; and performing an electrowetting operation to reconstitute the aqueous barrier to fluidly separate the first region from the second region. The method may be performed by an EWOD control system executing program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.

A microfluidic platform is provided for controlling and configuring the evolution of a gradient. The microfluidic platform includes a plate having an outer surface and defining a chamber therein for receiving cells and/or drug/reagent particles of interest captured within a polymerized material. A plurality of wells are adapted for receiving a one or more types of desired media to form gradients in the polymerized material. The plurality of wells have first portions communicating with the outer surface of the plate and second portions communicating with the chamber. The first and second portions of the plurality of wells having corresponding widths and cross-sectional areas, and each of the plurality of wells is spaced from an adjacent well of the plurality of wells by a distance. The cross-sectional areas of the first portions of the plurality of wells are greater than the cross-sectional areas of the second portions of the plurality of wells such that the second portions of the plurality of wells form pinning valves to maintain the material to be polymer.

A method of operating an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device performs electrowetting operations on fluids dispensed into the EWOD device, which provides enhanced operation for using multiple non-polar filler fluids. The method of operating includes the steps of: dispensing a polar fluid source into the EWOD device; performing an electrowetting operation to generate an aqueous barrier from the polar fluid source, wherein the aqueous barrier separates the EWOD device into a first region and a second region that are fluidly separated from each other by the aqueous barrier; inputting a non-polar first filler fluid into the first region; inputting a non-polar second filler fluid into the second region; dispensing a polar liquid droplet into the first region; transferring the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region by performing an electrowetting operation to reconfigure the aqueous barrier, and performing an electrowetting operation to move the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region through the reconfigured aqueous barrier; and performing an electrowetting operation to reconstitute the aqueous barrier to fluidly separate the first region from the second region. The method may be performed by an EWOD control system executing program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.

A method of operating an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device performs electrowetting operations on fluids dispensed into the EWOD device, which provides enhanced operation for using multiple non-polar filler fluids. The method of operating includes the steps of: dispensing a polar fluid source into the EWOD device; performing an electrowetting operation to generate an aqueous barrier from the polar fluid source, wherein the aqueous barrier separates the EWOD device into a first region and a second region that are fluidly separated from each other by the aqueous barrier; inputting a non-polar first filler fluid into the first region; inputting a non-polar second filler fluid into the second region; dispensing a polar liquid droplet into the first region; transferring the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region by performing an electrowetting operation to reconfigure the aqueous barrier, and performing an electrowetting operation to move the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region through the reconfigured aqueous barrier; and performing an electrowetting operation to reconstitute the aqueous barrier to fluidly separate the first region from the second region. The method may be performed by an EWOD control system executing program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.

An electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device includes an EWOD device array that applies electrowetting forces and contains a non-polar fluid. A barrier droplet configuration is formed using electrowetting forces to obstruct migration of a species from a first area of the EWOD device array to a protected area of the EWOD device array. A method of operating the EWOD device includes the steps of: dispensing a source droplet into a first area of the EWOD device array, the source droplet containing a migrating species, wherein the EWOD device array includes a second area to be protected from the migrating species; and forming a barrier droplet configuration positioned between the first area and the second area of the EWOD device array that obstructs a migration pathway of the migrating species between the first area and the second area. The barrier droplet configuration includes at least one aqueous or polar barrier droplet, and the migrating species exhibits a preference for either the polar or aqueous environment of the barrier or the non-polar environment of the oil to obstruct migration.

The invention is directed towards an Aerodynamic Automated Biological Assay Device (AABAD) comprising an aerodynamic substrate having a microfluidic cassette and an electronic module, and a system and a method of deploying the same to detect biological agents and hazards suspended in an atmosphere. The AABAD may be in the form/shape of a maple seed/fruit to induce autorotation. A plurality of AABADs are dispersed into the atmosphere from an aircraft or drone. The AABADs rotate via centrifugal forces without motor or active propulsion system while descending to the ground, wherein during the descent, the AABADs microfluidic cassettes collect and process the air samples via a centrifugal force formed from the autorotation generated by the airborne carrier, and to analyze and transmits the results to a remote location.

A method of operating an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device performs electrowetting operations on fluids dispensed into the EWOD device, which provides enhanced operation for using multiple non-polar filler fluids. The method of operating includes the steps of: dispensing a polar fluid source into the EWOD device; performing an electrowetting operation to generate an aqueous barrier from the polar fluid source, wherein the aqueous barrier separates the EWOD device into a first region and a second region that are fluidly separated from each other by the aqueous barrier; inputting a non-polar first filler fluid into the first region; inputting a non-polar second filler fluid into the second region; dispensing a polar liquid droplet into the first region; transferring the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region by performing an electrowetting operation to reconfigure the aqueous barrier, and performing an electrowetting operation to move the polar liquid droplet from the first region to the second region through the reconfigured aqueous barrier; and performing an electrowetting operation to reconstitute the aqueous barrier to fluidly separate the first region from the second region. The method may be performed by an EWOD control system executing program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.